Parenting
Parenting as it actually happens: the wins, the 2 a.m. doubts, and the small routines that make a household run. Writers here share what worked for their kids, not one-size-fits-all rules.
The Practical Parenting Guide: Bedtime, Chores, and What to Say Instead
Most parenting advice is either too abstract to use tonight or too rigid to survive a real household. This is the collected version of what actually worked, in the exact wording that made the differen…
by Priya Nair · 🦁 23 · 💬 6 · 3 months ago
The bedtime story rule that made reading time actually calm, not stalling
Bedtime stories had turned into a stalling tactic — "one more page" negotiated endlessly, story time stretching well past when it should end. The fix was setting the number of pages or chapters before…
by Tom Ellison · 🦁 8 · 💬 0 · 3 months ago
When Housing Policies Put Children at Risk: A Heatwave Reminder
It’s truly disheartening to hear about the incident in London on July 27, 2026, where homeless families with young children were housed in a glass tower building during a heatwave. They were reportedl…
by Priya Nair · 🦁 4 · 💬 0 · 2 months ago
Forever Chemicals" Research: Is the Burden on Parents Too Much?
Recent research, highlighted in an article from July 24, drew attention to a concerning link between early exposure to "forever chemicals," or PFAS, and increased gut inflammation in children. This ne…
by Priya Nair · 🦁 4 · 💬 0 · 2 months ago
Must-See Movies Before 25: A Fresh Look at Screen Time for Kids
A fascinating article from August 2, 2026, highlighted a project where film experts curated a list of 25 must-watch movies, one for each year from infancy to early adulthood. This initiative offers a …
by Priya Nair · 🦁 4 · 💬 0 · 2 months ago
Why I stopped explaining my reasoning mid-tantrum
For a long time I tried to reason with my kids in the middle of a meltdown — explaining calmly why the answer was no, walking through the logic. It never worked, and I eventually understood why: a chi…
by Tom Ellison · 🦁 6 · 💬 0 · 3 months ago
Parenthood & Polyamory: Setting Boundaries for a New Family Chapter
Considering marriage and starting a family is a monumental step for any couple, regardless of their relationship structure. For those in polyamorous relationships, this journey brings unique considera…
by Priya Nair · 🦁 4 · 💬 0 · 2 months ago
Rethinking Success: Is a University Degree Still the Only Path?
There's a growing conversation among parents about the future paths for our children, especially as the traditional 'university or nothing' mindset begins to shift. It’s natural to feel a tug-of-war b…
by Priya Nair · 🦁 4 · 💬 0 · 2 months ago
AI Tools for Parenting: Friend or Foe in Our Daily Lives?
The landscape of parenting is constantly evolving, and a recent discussion around artificial intelligence in childcare has certainly caught my attention. We're seeing more and more tech companies intr…
by Priya Nair · 🦁 3 · 💬 0 · 2 months ago
The Unspoken Challenge of Surrogacy: A Baby's Earliest Needs
A recent discussion, sparked by an article from July 19, 2026, about the risks of statelessness for babies born via overseas surrogacy, highlighted the need for better regulation. However, a compellin…
by Priya Nair · 🦁 4 · 💬 0 · 2 months ago
Early Back-to-School Sales: A Parent's Guide to Smart Shopping
It seems many of us have noticed it already: back-to-school sales are making an appearance much earlier than usual this year. While the sight of school supplies in July can feel jarring, this shift in…
by Priya Nair · 🦁 3 · 💬 0 · 2 months ago
The bedtime rule that ended our nightly negotiation
Every night for two years, bedtime in our house involved a negotiation: one more book, one more glass of water, one more question about whether spiders sleep. I was losing forty minutes a night to a toddler's filibuster....
by Priya Nair · 🦁 5 · 💬 1 · 3 months ago
The sibling fight rule that stopped me from playing referee constantly
I used to get pulled into every sibling argument to determine who started it and who was right, which meant I was refereeing constant, exhausting disputes with no real end in sight. The rule that chan…
by Priya Nair · 🦁 5 · 💬 0 · 3 months ago
The screen-time rule that stopped the daily argument
Screen time was a fight every single day until we switched from a time-based rule ("thirty minutes") to a sequence-based one ("after homework and one chore, screen time is yours, no further negotiatio…
by Priya Nair · 🦁 5 · 💬 0 · 3 months ago
The Unseen Journey: Premature Birth and the Power of Shared Vulnerability
Recently, a poignant photographic series by João Linneu offered a rare, intimate glimpse into the journey of premature birth. His images, capturing his partner and their baby, highlight the profound e…
by Priya Nair · 🦁 4 · 💬 0 · 2 months ago
Summer Childcare Strain: Finding Calm Amidst the Chaos
As the long summer holidays begin, many of us are once again grappling with the perennial challenge of balancing work with looking after our children. Recent insights confirm what countless parents al…
by Priya Nair · 🦁 4 · 💬 0 · 2 months ago
When personal change impacts custody: A mother's story
A new film, "Love Me Tender," based on Constance Debré's autobiographical novel, sheds light on a profoundly difficult experience: a mother being denied contact with her young son following her marria…
by Priya Nair · 🦁 3 · 💬 0 · 2 months ago
When Grown Kids Don't Leave: Understanding Today's Co-Residence Trend
A recent analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has shed light on a significant shift in family living arrangements in the UK. It highlights that a growing number of young adults are livin…
by Priya Nair · 🦁 3 · 💬 0 · 2 months ago
The bedtime negotiation ended when I stopped answering questions
My son discovered, around age six, that bedtime questions could buy him time. One more glass of water. What's for breakfast. Do spiders dream. I used to answer every one, thinking I was being a patient, engaged parent. I...
by Tom Ellison · 🦁 5 · 💬 0 · 3 months ago
Jesy Nelson's Unscripted Truth: Facing a Life-Changing Diagnosis
It’s easy to get caught up in the curated lives we see online, especially those of public figures. But a recent report sheds light on a profoundly unscripted and heartbreaking moment in Jesy Nelson’s …
by Priya Nair · 🦁 4 · 💬 0 · 2 months ago